In the nonprofit world, a scarcity mindset is pretty common. Organizations are constantly watching the need for their services and programs increase while the resources to serve their populations shrink. As a result, there is significant competition for donors, grants and other resources, and nonprofits are often fearful they won’t have the tools they need to create meaningful impact.

While logically, this makes sense for the benefit of a single organization, this mindset can stifle success for the community as a whole. As a nonprofit, your goal should not be to become the best nonprofit organization but rather to drive impact for your mission. By collaborating and supporting each other’s strengths, nonprofits can make a greater collective difference in the communities they serve.

For a nonprofit community, moving from a scarcity mindset to one of collaboration takes time, patience and hard work. Below are four steps you can take to start your collaboration journey.

  1. Know your mission and find partners who complement it.
  2. Take time to build relationships and trust.
  3. Build a collaborative spirit from the inside out.
  4. Embrace humility.

Read the full article about nonprofit collaboration by Nicole Suydam at Forbes.